Jane Austen Inspiration Board

Great books continue to inspire us this week; today, it's the entire Jane Austen oeuvre. Enjoy!

Photo credits: cake (Martha Stewart Weddings), country estate (Marry You Me), dance hall, chapel (Martha Stewart Weddings), model and tablescape (Lisa Lefkowitz via Style Me Pretty), calligraphy (100 Layer Cake), roses (100 Layer Cake), table setting (Lisa Lefkowitz via Style Me Pretty), cookies (Martha Stewart Weddings), dress (Threadhead)

The Great Gatsby Inspiration Board

Did you know that Baz Lurhmann is adapting The Great Gatsby for the screen? Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire have been cast as protagonist Jay and narrator Nick, respectively. With rumors flying about who will play Daisy, it seemed a topical time for a Fitzgerald-fueled inspiration board. Enjoy!

Photo credits: Croquet field (Brides.com), kissing couple (Stylish Soiree via Style Me Pretty), ballroom (Brides.com), bridesmaids (Style Experts), musicians (100 Layer Cake), daisies (The Knot), cake (Martha Stewart Weddings, Save-the-Dates (Lucky Luxe), table setting (Brides.com), bridal gown (Jenny Packham), reception (Stylish Soiree via Style Me Pretty)

Cream of the Crop: More Standouts from Bridal Market

After a week looking at beautiful dresses, can I just say that I love my job? And now our parade of bridal market favorites continues apace!

Not Your Mother's Toga: Priscilla of Boston and Romona Keveza Couture show you how to put your best shoulder forward.

Best Built-In Bling: Jenny Packham and Monique Lhuillier make a statement with these bejeweled gowns.

Belle of the Ball: These ball gowns by Lela Rose, Marchesa, Monique Lluillier, and Romona Keveza Couture are fit for a queen. 

Cream of the Crop: Standouts From Bridal Market

Today we're raising a glass to our favorite gowns from New York City's fall bridal market.

The Short List: Melissa Sweet and Oscar de la Renta prove you can be short on length but still long on style.

Color Me Beautiful: We're gaga for Vera Wang's grey and the icy pastels in Oscar's latest collection.

Sparkle In Your Eye: Love the shimmer in these gowns by Monique Lhullier and Jenny Packham.

Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve: It was great see so many non-strapless options on the runway this year. Six particular favorites, starting clockwise from the top left, were gowns by Monique Lhullier, Temperley London, Lela Rose, Monique, Jenny Packham, and Angel Sanchez. 

More favorites to come later today!

The Full Monte {Gown Trends from Monte Durham}

I was able to catch up with my old friend, Monte Durham, (don't tell him I said 'old') between his tapings of "Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta" and his trip to New York for bridal market a few weeks ago. You may have seen Monte on "Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta."  He's the stylist who says what's on his mind and loves to give Bridezillas a run for their money! Although he's super-busy right now getting ready for another season of the popular reality show (which will air again in Summer 2011 on TLC), he did give me some trends for bridal fashion this coming year.

TRENDS: Very soft fabrics, flowing and airy. Details in the fabric with flowers, ruffles and bows. Yes I did say Bows (very Jackie K) flat and tux like in shape and texture. A return of the Ball gown, while not quite Lady Di--more toned down and a much smaller train.

 Kenneth Pool

Melissa Sweet

OUT or SOON TO BE. Straight across necklines. We're seeing more sweetheart, scoop, pinch-centers or pleated as well as V-neck and one shoulder gowns.

 Modern Trousseau

Carolina Herrera

SOON TO BE OUT.
Extended trains, heavy beaded veils, flowers in the hair, tiered skirts and all around pick ups..

WHAT'S NEW AND BIG.
Simple gowns whether in fabric, cut or style can only mean one thing. . . BRING on the BLING. From cuffs, chandeliers and encrusted belts to my favorite: Crowns. Plus, the new and improved headband.

And let's not forget the Shoes. While straps are in vogue the peep toe is a must-have along with a pointed-toe satin pump.  Girls, these shoes are Higher than a SF hippy in the 60's!

Thanks, Monte!  We love you, and we love your show!
 Laura

Bridal Market: Spotlight on Veils

Behold, my favorite photo from fashion week:

I'm sure Laura is just kicking herself that this Reema Acra veil wasn't available for our Disney couple's wedding last spring! But really, we love the playfulness of the Reema Acra presentation. Another highlight:

What makes it is how the model's face is still completely serious while wearing bunny ears.

My absolute favorite veil though was the one that ended the Melissa Sweet collection.

Gorgeous, right? Love the lace detailing and how high the voluminous veil sits on the model's head.

Not a veil, obviously, but this Reema Acra headpiece is paired perfectly with the dress. 

Bridal Market: Spotlight on Eco-Chic Designers {Part 2}

Our spotlight on eco-conscious designers continues with sneak peaks at Elizabeth St. John and Adele Wechsler's fall 2011 collections. First up is Adele, whose designs we've featured before both here and as guest bloggers on Style Me Pretty.

Love both halter dresses in particular. Next up is the latest line from Elizabeth St. John. 

If you have a favorite "green" designer, let us know!

Bridal Market: Spotlight on Eco-Chic Designers

While many of the gowns at this fall's market seem inspired by nature, there are still only a handful of designers dedicated to green practices and manufacturing. And since everyone at Bridal Bubbly loves the planet as much as we love our readers, we wanted to spotlight those eco-chic designers bent on proving being environmentally conscious doesn't mean sacrificing style.

My favorite new discovery is LA-based designer Lindee Daniel. Honestly, her dresses are so pretty the fact that she uses natural fibers and pure practices is just icing on the cake.

See? Sheer loveliness. 

Oh, how I wish I could zoom in on pictures like the techies on NCIS can! I'm dying to get a better look at the above dress's fabric. Regardless, the sweetheart neckline and tiered skirt are great. 

So simple and sweet. The flutter of fabric at the neckline is soft and flattering. 

Admittedly, he veil paired with this dress is pretty distracting (tomorrow's post: new veil trends!), but I love the mix of fabrics and textures.

More eco-chic designs to come later today!

Bridal Market: Spotlight on Bridesmaid Dresses {Part 2}

More bridesmaid dresses we loved from NYC's latest bridal market:

This sophisticated lace sheath from Legends by Romona Keveza would be a great pick for an intimate wedding in the city. 

We did a wedding this past spring where the maids of honor wore white dresses by Lela Rose with contrasting sashes at the waist. A slightly unusual choice, but it looked beautiful, and didn't take away from the bride's gown at all. Love this one-shouldered frock from Lela.

Let's be honest: this nude dress by Melissa Sweet is a really hard color to pull off (I would look like a cadaver). But it does look super chic with black accessories, and I love the soft fabric and draping in the skirt. Also, I'm coveting the model's kicky ponytail and bangs. 

High drama by Jim Hjelm, with bonus points for the gown's pockets and empire waist line (a much more forgiving silhouette for those of us who like to eat multiple desserts at a wedding!) 

Martha Stewart Weddings claims this Simple Silhouettes dress is electric blue. I'm not getting any electricity from the color, but the cut would be flattering on a variety of body types, and Simple Silhouettes has dozens of colors to choose from anyway. 

Not everybody is a fuchsia fan, but I think the color works well with this cut. Also, the model is one tall drink of water, which is probably because she's duh, a model, but I'm choosing to believe I'd look the same in this Alvina Valenta gown. 

Which bridesmaid dress from market week was your favorite? 

-Alison 

Bridal Market: Spotlight on Bridesmaid Dresses

Bridal designers recently showed their latest collections in New York City. The gowns won't be available in stores until next year, but everybody in the Engaging Affairs office is already drooling over the designs. This week we'll be featuring the coming trends in the bridal world, along with the new dresses that took our breath away.

Of course, when people think of bridal fashion, wedding gowns are the first thing that come to mind, but the latest in bridesmaid dresses are also debuted at market. Having once worked in a bridal shop that carried the amazing creations of Anna Maier~Ulla-Maija, I was thrilled to discover that the couture bridal house is launching a bridesmaid line. And as you would expect from a designer known for flawless fit and dramatic silhouettes, these bridesmaid dresses are absolute show-stoppers.

I love this navy ball gown so much I'm thisclose to begging one of my sisters to get married just so I can wear it. (No pressure for them or their boyfriends, right?) 

This red gown is actual the bridesmaid version of the wedding dress that our very own Amy wore for her wedding. Good to know it's equally stunning in white or red! 

Notice how the ruched bodice and draped skirt on this green dress draws the eye to the narrowest part of the model's waist. That's good design. 

Another great design detail: how the neckline on this lace sheath is softly dipped instead of cut straight across. It's a difference your bridesmaids will thank you for! 

Unfortunately, I don't have a closer image of the detailing on this gray gown, but I suspect it's another type of lace. Probably my favorite of the two fitted silhouettes. The sharply defined sweetheart neckline draws attention to the model's shoulders and collar bone, and I'm a big fan of the fluted skirt. 

More bridesmaid highlights from other designers to come later today! 

-Alison